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<br /> <br />Page 3 of 6 <br />when such changes are deemed to be insignificant by the Zoning Administrator, the requirements <br />of a public hearing may be waived. <br /> <br />2. Phase II Roadway Improvements <br />In the attached narrative (Attachment B), the Applicant describes the Phase II roadway <br />improvements. These improvements are intended to expand upon pedestrian signal work <br />completed in 2020 with a raised center median. This median will provide an additional level of <br />safety for pedestrians crossing Lake Valentine Road. The project also aligns the access points on <br />both the west side and the east side of the school site. A single intersection is proposed on the west <br />side of the site, providing access to both the school drop-off/pick-up on the south and to the parking <br />lot on the north. On the east, a single intersection provides access to the accessible parking lot on <br />the south and the parking lot on the north. <br /> <br />Right turn lanes are also provided at both the east and west access points to improve traffic <br />operations and to allow for any queuing needs to occur in a dedicated turn lane. Left turn lanes on <br />eastbound Lake Valentine Road are provided for access at both entrances to the north parking lot. <br />A left turn lane on westbound Lake Valentine Road is also provided for access into parent drop- <br />off area on the south side of the road. Overall, the proposed improvements are expected to improve <br />safety and mobility for pedestrians, Lake Valentine Road thru traffic, and traffic entering/exiting <br />the Mounds View High School Site. Attachment C is a color rendering of the proposed <br />improvements, while Attachment D includes the plans. These plans have been reviewed by the <br />City Engineer and consultants. <br /> <br />3. North Parking Lot Improvements <br />The north parking lot, at 1901 Lake Valentine Road, was originally the site of the First Student <br />bus garage. The Applicant is proposing to reconstruct the existing parking lot and stripe it for more <br />efficient car parking. The existing building on the site will be used for School District maintenance <br />equipment. <br /> <br />4. Zoning Code Review <br /> <br />A. Landscaping – Section 1325.05, Subd. 1 <br />The Zoning Ordinance requires planting islands in parking lots to visually break up expanses <br />of hard-surface parking areas, to provide safe and efficient traffic movement, and to define <br />rows of parking. Planting islands must occupy at least ten (10) percent of the parking area, and <br />must be edged with concrete curbs. Parking lot planting islands are also required to be a <br />minimum of 150 square feet in area, be of appropriate width and length, and include at least <br />one tree meeting the requirements of this ordinance. <br /> <br />The approved PUD plan does not include any planting islands, and the City Council granted <br />flexibility to this provision. The proposed plan (Attachment E) includes some planting islands, <br />equaling approximately 6% of the parking area. <br /> <br />B. Drainage – Section 1325.05, Subd. 2 <br />The drainage plan, approved as part of the original PUD. directs stormwater runoff to a large <br />stormwater pond located north of Lake Valentine Road, west of Janet Court, and east of the